Author: Common Cents Mom

Can you believe it is almost Black Friday?! Is it time to start thinking about your shopping list? Who do you have to buy for this year? What kind of gifts are you buying them? I love practical gifts and a new toothbrush is a practical gift. Which one am I talking about?

The Oral-B Genius 9600 would be the perfect gift under any tree.

The new Oral-B Genius 9600. It is a great practical gift, but with all of its advanced technology, you are not only gifting practicality, but also luxury!

This toothbrush is so advanced, it has the ability to assist in one of the daily tasks some of us are weak at – brushing your teeth! Luckily, the Oral-B Genius 9600 brings technology to the teeth brushing experience to guide us through our journey.

I have to admit, when Oral-B asked me to participate in this campaign, I was a bit hesitant. I have written about my sensitive teeth here before. I have a compacted mouth, and well, brushing my teeth is a chore. But I was wrong to be hesitant.

What is special about this toothbrush?

First, the Oral-B App which works on Android and iOS is the star of the show. It helps you brush your teeth better by guiding you through a personalized brushing journey and helps you care for your gums and enamel with a gentle clean.

The Smart Ring sensor even changes from blue to red when you brush too hard. For someone like me who has sensitivity, it is a wonderful reminder to treat my gums and teeth well.

Use the Oral-B app to pair with your toothbrush and you’ll be brushing your teeth more efficiently in no time. The Gum Guard technology helps you find ways you can improve your brushing by identifying risk areas based on your brushing behaviours. Think of it as a tooth brushing coach.

For those of you like me with sensitive teeth, you can use a variety of modes and pressure control for a totally custom brushing experience. You will love the 6 modes, there is something for everyone even the super sensitive like me.

What do you get?

* The handle with a 2-week battery life

* A smart travel case

* 3 brush heads

* Smartphone holder

* Charging Station Charger

Where to buy it this Black Friday/Cyber Monday?

You can find the Oral-B Genius 9600 in Black on Amazon.ca. If you are like me and are Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping from the comfort of your sofa, be sure to check out Amazon.ca

for a great offer on the toothbrush, and purchase the practical yet luxurious gift you need to check off for a friend or family member on your list.

Black Friday tip: If you’re headed to the stores to shop for any items on your list, remember to use the Flipp app to find the best deal – many retailers don’t price match on Black Friday.

Are you an Amazon Prime member like me? Shipping is free. Not an Amazon Prime member? You can try it out for free for 30 days. As well they now have a monthly subscription that you can cancel at any time.

Let me know what you are shopping for this Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I already have one item off my list!

With interest rates rising in Canada, with apartment rental rates skyrocketing in Toronto, many of us are taking on more and more debt. Less saving is getting done. More and more Canadians are spending on things that don’t really matter. Are you headed towards bankruptcy or is there a better way?

Sometimes you need to look at the numbers

In this world of hustle and bustle, where many of us have a full-time gig and at least one side hustle to pay the bills many Canadians have no balance in their lives. We are eating out more. Grabbing more coffees in cafes. Did you know the average Canadian family spends $300 on eating out or on take out? How much are you spending and could it make a difference in reaching your long-term goals? Are you able to reach for your dreams?

A number of years ago, I had racked up a huge sum of consumer debt. I declared bankruptcy. I am asking a hard question. Are the spending choices you make today leading you are towards bankruptcy? Are you one step away?

Take a hard look at where you are spending. Have you ever tracked your daily spends for a month? It can be an eye-opening experience. Simply write down every penny you spend for a month. It may lead you to make some changes.

Invest in Your Financial Well Being

Sow seeds that will make you money smart.

Many years ago I started Common Cents Mom as a place where my readers could come and get smarter about money. I even started the very first personal finance chat in Canada. Now there are many resources. One of my favourite resources, one that helps everyday Canadians is actually put out by the federal government.

If you want to get a handle on your spending habits, learn more about money, use a budget calculator perhaps for the very first time, learn about the differences between a TFSA and a RRSP, and learn about your rights and obligations when it comes to financial institutions, this site gives you the resources that you need.

This week the theme is all about good habits, one of the best habits you can have when it comes to financial literacy is to have a budget and stick with it. It is a foundation ground that you can build on. Financial literacy is important not only for your well being for that of your family and the economy. The more we know the more we can invest in our futures.

Eight years ago, I started talking about financial literacy. I talked about my bankruptcy and through the #Cdnmoney chat encouraged Canadians to get money smart. That is still my goal. I was proud to participate in the first Finacial Literacy Month in 2012 and every year especially in November, I share ways for you to get money smart.

We all need to understand this financial ecosystem and how even our little spending choices can make a difference.

Let me know if you are participating and watching for the #FLM2018 hashtag and what you are learning.

*This is a sponsored post, meaning I have partnered with Desjardins Insurance to share their giveaway. The content and opinions shared here though are mine.

You can feel it in the air! Winter is around the corner and with it comes so much prep work especially if you are a Canadian driver. I remember prepping my first car for its first winter and mine as a newly minted driver. I would be taking the car from our rural home on Nutby mountain to the town of Truro not so many miles away, but with winter, you had to be ready for anything. Ever since then I have known the importance of preparing your car for winter road trips. For me, it all starts with ensuring my car is ready and having great insurance.

So how does one ensure their vehicle is ready for a Canadian winter?

Winter tires. For me, I remember driving on black ice. It is no fun and can lead to an accident if you don’t know what you are doing. Snow tires give you that bit of grip you need. November is the perfect time to get this changeover done.

Get a tune-up. As a driver, I always got my car tuned up and topped up at the beginning of winter. Oil change is done, windshield fluid and all the basics were in place.

Have an emergency kit packed in your car. What should it include for a Canadian winter? Check out this list:

As well we travel with a cell phone in the car and even a charging cord that plugs into the charger just in case.

Ensure you have the proper insurance. You want to have a quality plan in place.

Insurance should not be the last stop, as you prepare for winter though. It should be your first. Why? As one who has been in an accident, they happen when you least expect.

For me, it was when I was driving my young daughter home from school. Thankfully, there were no injuries but there was damage. Since we had a great plan in place it brought peace of mind to a difficult situation. I was definitely happy to know that everything would be taken care of and it was.

I have always known the importance of great insurance. It matters in every area of your life. Time and time again experience has taught me that.

From auto insurance to home insurance, business insurance to life products, Desjardins Insurance has you covered. Remember that auto accident I mentioned? I was a State Farm customer at the time. Recently State Farm Canada became Desjardins Insurance. They took great care of me.

Win Free Gas for a Year with Desjardins Insurance

Now, for a limited time, you could enter to win FREE GAS for a year when you complete an online quote. It’s quick and easy – and you can see just how much you can save with a Desjardins Agent.

The holiday season is the time for giving, love and friendship. Not only that, but it is also the largest shopping time of the year. From Black Friday through to Christmas Eve, there are sales, extended store hours and internet stores opened to meet the high demands of their consumers.

Let’s face it. The Holiday season can get expensive. Rather than putting yourself in debt or flattening your wallet this year, it is a good idea to take measure to save money this holiday season.

How to Save Money this Holiday Season

1. Have a Budget in Place

Before you set off on your holiday shopping spree, it is a good idea to ensure that you have a budget in place. This can help you to avoid overspending.

2. Make Lists

Once you have determined your budget and what you can spend, create a list of those you will be giving gifts to this year, organizing them by the amount of money you will be spending on each person. Having a list, will make sure that you don’t go over budget, keep you accountable and help you to make sure you have everything organized prior to the season of gift giving.

3. Compare Prices

Always make a point to compare prices prior to setting off on your holiday shopping adventure. Make sure that where you intend to purchase a specific gift from, is the cheapest location. There are many apps designed to help you compare prices, print coupons and even reap the benefits of any memberships you have, so remember to always shop around.

4. Don’t Buy on Impulse

Never purchase a big-ticket item impulsively because you may think it’s a great deal. With your emotions high and the spirit of the season consuming you, it is easy to make quick decisions that leave you feeling as though you are drowning in debt. Sleep on it, comparison shop and make sure you can afford it prior to just jumping in head first.

5. Store Receipts

Always store your receipts until after the holiday season. This will help to ensure that you get your money back if there is anything wrong with the item purchased and sometimes if you purchase something at full price and see that it goes on sale at a much bigger discount, you can return the item and get it for the cheaper price.

6. Buy Early

The lowest prices are often found far before the seasonal sales take place. Making sure to go shopping early in the year for presents for the holidays is a great way to take advantage of sales, plan and avoid overspending. In fact, some of the best deals take place after the seasonal sales have ended, so the earlier in the year you start your holiday shopping, the better.

7. Opt for Secret Santa

Rather than individually purchasing gits for every one of your friends and family members, opt for secret Santa gift giving. This makes sure that everyone receives a gift, without everyone having to go overboard with their spending.

8. Visit the Dollar store

Your local discount or dollar store is a fantastic place to visit when doing your holiday shopping. This is because items like wrapping paper, tape, bows and gift tags are generally inexpensive, allowing you to nicely wrap your gifts without breaking the bank.

9. Keep it Simple

Holiday shopping doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep the gifts your purchase simple and straightforward. If you have a lot of people on your list, simple gift cards can go a long way and are an inexpensive way to ensure that its recipient can purchase something they are actually going to use.

10. Know When to Stop

When you have completed your list, it’s time to stop shopping. Avoid mall trips just to browse as this can lead to purchases you didn’t intend to make. Once your list is completed, so is your holiday shopping.

There are many ways to save money this holiday season. It is important to pay attention to details, don’t overspend and know when to stop. The holidays are supposed to be fun and exciting and it’s the thought that counts not the amount.

November is Financial Literacy Month (FLM). Perhaps you have seen tweets with the #FLM2018 or #FLM in my social feed. The topic of financial literacy has always been important to me. It is the reason I started Common Cents Mom.

In Canada, the Financial Literacy Leader is the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC). They coordinate the organizations from the private, public and non-profit sectors to strengthen the financial literacy of Canadians. Their mandate is to make Canadians financially literate aka money smart.

Program Theme

This year’s theme is “Invest in your financial well-being”. The goal is to encourage Canadians to take control of their finances and reduce financial stress by making a budget, having a savings and debt reduction plan, and understanding their financial rights and responsibilities. For years I talk about these topics during the #cdnmoney chats. I am thrilled that there has been a whole month dedicated to helping Canadians take control.

Now this month, I have partnered with Tangerine Bank, who are bringing those important money conversations to Twitter with not one but 2 Twitter parties this month. Circle your calendar for both!

To participate in this one use the hashtag #RetirementPlanning!

Retirement Planning Twitter Party

You need to start preparing today so that you will have enough money to spend during retirement. To participate in this one use the hashtag #RetirementPlanning!

Date: November 15, 2018 at 8:00pm ET
Host: @TangerineBank
Guest: Caroline Cakebread @CCakebread, Pension Expert
NO RSVP | $500 in Prizing | Anyone can participate but only Canadians excluding those in the province of Quebec can win prizes

Caroline Cakebread is a pension expert who has researched and written about retirement security and financial literacy for nearly two decades. She’s been a personal finance columnist for Chatelaine and the Toronto Star and is the author of Back From the Brink. She is a contributor on the Tangerine blog https://bit.ly/2qAGIoG.

If you are wondering how much you should save by age 40, you should read this blog post https://bit.ly/2PJqeJa by Caroline Cakebread.

You might think that the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is an actual “pension plan” – after all, that’s what it’s called. But if you’re relying on government benefits like the CPP to fund your retirement, then you probably need to rethink that plan. Caroline Cakebread explains in this blog post. https://bit.ly/2RHRLYG

Control of Your Finances Twitter Party

Start investing now so that your money works harder for you. Use the hashtag #ControlYourFinances for this party.

Control Your Finances Twitter Party
Date: November 26, 2018 at 8:00pm ET
Host: @TangerineBank
Guest: @RobinTaub, Financial Literacy Advocate
NO RSVP | $500 in Prizing | Anyone can participate but only Canadians excluding those in the province of Quebec can win prizes

Robin Taub is a chartered professional accountant (CPA, CA) and currently works as a financial literacy consultant, speaker and blogger. She is also the best-selling author of A Parent’s Guide to Raising Money-Smart Kids. She is a contributor on the Tangerine blog. https://bit.ly/2QyGLMU

Interest rates are rising. If you have credit card debt, a line of credit or a mortgage, higher interest rates mean you’ll be paying more to service your debt. It may also take longer for you to pay off your loans. Robin Taub shares why it is time to take control of your finances. https://bit.ly/2PJ03Ch

Financial literacy is being talked about and shared all month long so watch the hashtag and jump into the conversation.

*this post is paid for and sponsored by Tangerine Bank. I have partnered with them many times over the last number of years and am happy to share these important parties with you, my readers.

With Thanksgiving, Halloween and Remembrance Day done it is time to start thinking about everything Christmas. As the Christmas season draws near, it’s incredibly important to start planning for all the tasks that need to be executed to have a holly jolly Christmas. Yes, I get the pun! It is time for the ultimate Christmas checklist.

Early preparation is the key to Christmas success, making sure all the important aspects of the holiday season are taken care of well in advance.

One of the best ways to get yourself organized and on the Christmas ball so to speak is to prepare a Christmas checklist.

Christmas Tree and Christmas gift boxes in the interior with a fireplace

In the Fall Months (October & November – so now)

Make a Plan – Now is the perfect time to solidify your Christmas plans. Will you be hosting or travelling elsewhere? Once that has been decided you can make plans from there.

Create a Christmas Budget – Creating a budget for the holidays will help to ensure you don’t overspend over Christmas months. No one likes to be paying for Christmas after the holidays.

Add Activities to Calendar – As you find out about school performances, parties and more, add them to a master calendar. Keep the calendar in a central location so you know your schedule and plans quickly.

Start Baking and Freeze – Anything that can be frozen like bars, bread and cookies are fantastic to make ahead. This will help to ensure that you have desserts on hand for when guests arrive throughout the season.

Organize Christmas Cards – Now is the best time to determine how many cards you need, and ensure you have updated all your recipient’s addresses.

Shop for Tags and Wrapping Paper – Starting to purchase your gift wrap and tags early will give you the best selection, preparing you for when it’s time to wrap those gifts.

Order Christmas Cards – Ordering your Christmas cards ahead of time will ensure that you have plenty of time for them to arrive and lots of time to send them out.

Plan for Overnight Guests – Consider what you will need for overnight guests and make sure to get your house ready for visitors. Replace old towels and sheets and prepare the sleeping arrangements.

Make a Master Gift List – Create a list of everyone that you will be purchasing gifts for and general ideas of what to get them. This will help you to save money and time when doing your shopping.

Start Christmas Shopping – The more presents you buy ahead, the better.

Wrap Gifts as you Buy – Not only will this save you from the chances of your kiddos finding the gifts before Christmas, but it will totally save you time on Christmas Eve.

Take Stock of Décor – Go through all the Christmas decorations and take inventory to see if anything needs to be replaced.

Take Stock of Place Settings – Make sure you have everything you need for special events and meals and make sure to replace anything that may have broken.

Address and Send Christmas Cards.

Over the Holiday Season – (December)

Buy a Live Tree – Now is the best time to buy a fresh tree. Just make sure it has enough water so it doesn’t dry out before Christmas. Not into real trees, check the flyers for deals on fake ones.

Start Traditions – If your family does elf on the shelf or any other exciting Christmas traditions, now is the time to start them! Perhaps you can decide to donate time together as a family helping someone in need.

Finalize Menus – If you will be hosting a Christmas dinner or party, make sure you have all menus finalized and start a master grocery list.

Order Turkey – Now is the time to order your turkey, ham or whatever it is you wish to serve for your Christmas meal.

Mail all Gifts – Any gifts that must be mailed out of town should be done now.

Get non-perishables – Any canned goods, pantry staples and beverages you will need can be purchased now.

Deep Clean – Now is the perfect time to make sure your home is clean and organized. In fact, tackling the refrigerator right now will make sure that you have space for the dishes and ingredients you will need to pull off Christmas dinner.

Stock up on Batteries – There is nothing worse than realizing you don’t have batteries for the kids toys on Christmas morning.

Shop for fresh Ingredients – A few days before the holidays is the best time to purchase all fresh ingredients you will require for your big dinners, parties and Christmas morning breakfast.

Set the Table – Setting the table days before the big dinner or party is a fantastic way to save time when the big day comes.

Start Cooking and Baking

Charge the Batteries on your Camera or Video Camera

Finish Last Second Wrapping

Finish Cooking

Put out Cookies for Santa

Relax, listen to Christmas Music and Enjoy the Holiday Season!

Early preparation is the key to Christmas success just make sure to use the ultimate Christmas checklist to ensure you are ready to enjoy the holidays this year. Now, do you want an easy printed list? It is my early Christmas gift to you. Simply grab this pdf and it will keep you on track all season long.

If you know me you know I love my Skechers shoes. I have Skechers shoes or boots for every season. For this plus size woman I find they bring comfort, something I desired most of all.

This past summer I was often in Rumbler-Sci Fi sandals. I loved these sandals with a bit of a heel. They were and are perfect for date nights, dinner out with friends and those days I wore my favourite maxi dress. The fact is I have a wide foot and ankle so finding shoes that fit me can be difficult so I am thankful this style was available in a wide. I hadn’t worn a heel in years and it was so nice to find a pair that worked well for me all summer long.

I also have a pair of Sketchers Gowalk Joy’s in navy, They come with innovative and highly responsive 5GEN® midsole cushioning that makes me feel like I am walking on air some days. They are a perfect pair for my long walks. If you love to walk like me then you want the comfort that comes from wearing these.

I also have a few pairs that are from a couple of years ago and they are still in use as well.

Then a couple of weeks ago I found some great Sketchers boots at Pennigtons. I fell in love with the Wide Width Lace-Up Bootie with faux fur. I grabbed the pair in tan. I so couldn’t wait to wear them I even wore them at Blissdom Canada. Facts are the three days I was at the conference last week, a different pair of Sketchers were on my feet each day.

Now, Skechers Canada sent me a new pair to add to my collection. They sent me the new Skechers D’Lites. Since I have headed back to the gym these will be my go-to pair. They have a cute design and a comfortable memory foam insole. I am also enjoying the absorbing supportive midsole.

If you are looking for an amazingly comfortable shoe or boot for this fall or winter, visit www.skechers.com

Enter to Win

One of my lucky readers will win a pair of Skechers shoes for themselves. Your choice, dependent on availability. Winner must be over the age of 18 and live in Canada.

To enter the giveaway leave a comment and let me know which pair you are most interested in. For an extra chance share this post on social and let me know in a separate comment where you shared it

It is hard to believe that the fall is flying by. In my neighbourhood, everything is a shade of orange or amber and the Thanksgiving items have made way for Halloween decor. Just after Thanksgiving, a box of fall goodies from Hallmark Canada arrived. There were a select few fall items and some adorable Halloween ones alongside.

At our house we decorate the house for fall ( Thanksgiving) every year the second week of September and those stay in place for a month we then decorate for Halloween with some special pieces we have collected over the year, those stay in place for a few weeks and are taken down to make room for our Christmas decor which goes up early in this house. Christmas decor is on the mantle in our home right after Remembrance Day.

For Fall and Christmas, I love rustic decor so was delighted with the box that Hallmark Canada sent me. From an adorable placemat to measuring spoons, to a bowl full of thanks to an adorable wooden sign there is something for everyone.

For Halloween, we often forget those that can’t have candy. In my house we have 2 little ones that won’t be trick or treating so I loved the Paw Patrol stickers that they sent. For someone who has that Halloween birthday, a special idea, a bracelet made just for the day.

Now I love to extend the spirit of Thanksgiving so I a love that I get to give one reader a Count the Really Good Blessings Twice Wooden Sign. We loved this wooden sign and have a space for it in my country kitchen. What an important sentiment to remember year round.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

In the comments let me know what you are thankful for? or your Halloween costume for this year.

Want an extra entry share this post on your social media and tell me where you shared it in a separate comment.

*Giveaway is open to Canadian residents only over the age of 18

** I have received a box of goodies from Hallmark Canada in exchange for this post and they will also fulfil the prize. All opinions are my own as always.

The turkey leftovers are in the fridgeHalloween annual fall hike is done so now on minds in this house turn to Halloween. We loved decorating, making treats, shopping for candy and deciding on the perfect costume. With all of the planning and shopping though it is easy to put a strain on your wallet, it is just as easy to save money on everything Halloween.

So how can we save money on everything Halloween? Over the years I have written several posts all designed to help you save on Halloween. You can learn about keeping the money gremlins at bay and how to have a frightfully frugal Halloween. Now many of the things we do help us save money every year.

Saving money on Everything Halloween does not have to be scary.

So how can you save every year on everything Halloween?

Year after year, I emphasis budgeting. Is Halloween a line item in your budget? It should be.

Shop your shed and closets. Get creative, think reuse, reuse, reuse as your Halloween anthem. So many things make for great DIY projects for decor and costumes.

Check for Freebies. You can often find freebies on sites like Kijiji or Craigslist. I have even seen freebies in the Facebook Marketplace and even on groups like Bunz ( Do you have the bartering app Bunz yet?)

Host a costume swap with your friends. How many costumes does your child have? I know by the age of 5 my daughter had a few. So the best thing to do was gather some friends who have kids and host a swap.

Check for coupons. Yes, I used the “c” word! If you are a crafter who loves to get creative, take advantage of Michael’s 40% off coupon that happens often.

Look for deals and price match when and where you can. Remember Flipp, the app shows you all your local flyers and did you know you can price match straight from the app at several Canadian retailers.

Shopping Online? Use Ebates, it is a portal site that gives you cash back and often savings when you shop at the retailers listed. One of the retailers is Amazon!

Become Pinterest inspired. Since we love to make Halloween treats and our own costumes I have two boards you can check out here and here.

Get your pumpkin at a discount. I was at Walmart Canada this week and saw that they had a great sale and a good selection. I would grab one while you can.

Shop the day after Halloween. You can get ready for Halloween 2019 shopping ahead. Great deals can often be found on November 1st. These can be stashed away for next year.

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, many are looking forward to spending time with their friends and family, all while enjoying their favourite foods, drinks and desserts. The truth of the matter is, amidst all that wonderful gratitude, bonding and eating, hosting thanksgiving can put a real dent in your finances. Between the cost of decorations, dessert, the main and the sides and even the beverages, hosting Thanksgiving can leave your wallet feeling less than grateful.

Luckily, there are ways to host a frugal Thanksgiving dinner, all while keeping it memorable and delicious.

Thanksgiving Dinner on a Budget

Make Your Own Decorations

Rather than going out and spending an inordinate amount of money on thanksgiving decorations, make your own. Thanksgiving decorations can consist of inexpensive items or things you can find around your house already. Things like fallen leaves, small gourds and even pie pumpkins work well as table décor. In fact, you can even hollow out the pie pumpkin to make dessert and place the empty pumpkin on the table with a lit candle inside.

Its easy to set a Thanksgiving centerpiece on a budget

Shop Creatively

Rather than going out and spending an inordinate amount of money on thanksgiving decorations, make your own. Thanksgiving decorations can consist of inexpensive items, or things you can find around your house already. Things like fallen leaves, small gourds and even pie pumpkins work well as table décor. In fact, you can even hollow out the pie pumpkin to make dessert and place the empty pumpkin on the table with a lit candle inside.

Make It a Potluck

A potluck dinner gives lots of options and makes for less work.

Thanksgiving is traditionally a potluck like holiday to begin with, so it’s not uncommon to have your guests bring at least one dish to contribute. Rather than taking on all the work and expense yourself, a potluck thanksgiving saves you money, makes sure that every guest has a dish they love and lessens your work load. Just make sure to keep a running tally of what everyone is bringing and ensure there is a variety in the dishes. Otherwise, you could end up with an abundance of different variations of pumpkin pie and absolutely no side dishes.

Get Creative with Leftovers

A big Thanksgiving dinner can create enough leftovers for many meals to come, but you may find yourself getting sick of turkey sandwiches. Using the turkey carcass to create a delicious turkey stew or soup is a great way to repurpose some of your leftovers and they freeze well too for future meals. Stretching the meal out to serve future meals helps to save a lot of money.

Hosting a frugal Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, as long as you make your own decorations, shop creatively, make it a potluck and get creative with your leftovers, Thanksgiving will not only be delicious, but it will also be inexpensive. Get ready to gobble up your delicious and frugal Thanksgiving dinner and make even your wallet feel grateful